Pets

Needle Therapy
photograph by angie knost/alamy. illustration by jessica kusuma

The ancient practice of

acupuncture could give your
pet a new “leash” on life.
by Karen Asp

Don’t worry—
pets may feel an
initial prick, but
after that, it’s
chill-out time.

PREVENTION.COM • november 2015 127

 Pets
W hen Susan Costa’s dog, Fred-
die, was diagnosed with hip
dysplasia, she chose to forgo giving
him pain medication, instead turning
to acupuncture. The time-honored
treatment is quickly becoming trendy,
and—crazy as it looks—the research
shows it could be worth a try.
Pin Down the Facts
Your furry friend’s treatment works
just like yours: Inserting needles at
specific points along the body’s en-
ergy channels corrects and improves
the flow of energy. The better your
pet’s flow, the healthier he is, says
Marcie Fallek, a holistic veterinar-
ian. Acupuncture in animals is most
commonly sought for musculoskeletal
128 November 2015 • PREVENTION.COM
issues like arthritis, says Allen M.
Schoen, a holistic integrative veteri-
narian. It’s also been found to help
reduce pain and improve neurologic
and gastrointestinal issues, among
other problems, according to a review
in Scientific Papers: Animal Science and
Biotechnologies.
Pricking Precautions
Most pets take well to acupuncture—
some even fall asleep from relaxation,
says Schoen. But not all animals are
suited for the therapy. Those who
are aggressive or anxious may have
a harder time relaxing, and in those
cases, the added stress can outweigh
the benefits, Schoen says. The length
of your pet’s acupuncture therapy de-
pends on the problem: 6 to 8 weeks for
chronic conditions and 1 to 2 weeks for
photograph by adam pretty/getty images. illustration by jessica kusuma
acute injuries, with each session lasting
around 30 minutes, says Fallek.
Before you commit to a veterinary
acupuncturist, do your homework.
While the AVMA American Board
of Veterinary Specialties doesn’t yet
recognize the therapy, training in acu-
puncture is available to vets. Look for
a therapist who has received certifica-
tion in veterinary acupuncture.
As for Freddie, his two acupuncture
sessions yielded big results—he easily
hopped up into the car to go home.
After his second treatment, the shy
pup gave his practitioner a lick. “I
was surprised to see it,” says Costa.
“But I think this was his way of tell-
ing the vet thank you.”
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